Towing canal-boats



(No Model.)

T. S. MILLER. TOWINGCANAL BOATS. &c.;

No. 601,353. Patented Mar. 29,1898.-

mvENToR @gmmm WITNESSES l w Q w VLu BY/ 'f/L@- ATTOR N EYS.

STATES THOMAS SPENCERMILLER, OF SOTI-I ORANGE, NEW JERSEY.

rovi/ING CANAL-BOATS, eee.

sPEcIFIcA'HoN forming part of Letters Patent No. 601,353, elated Maren 29, 189s. Appneenen filed December 14,1895. Renewed Deeeniber 2,1897. serial Ne. 660,552.' Ne model.)

a specification.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown an apparatus designed especially for the towing of canal-boats, which, however, may be employed for the purpose of hauling other objects..

f Figure l is an end View of the carriage with the supports for the cable and traction-ropes.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the carriage. Fig. 3 is a plan view in detail of 'one of the supports for the traction-ropes. Fig. 4 is an end View of the same, partly in section. Fig. 5 is a diagram in side view of the system. Fig. 6 is a detail plan section on the line x x of Fig. l.

a is a canal-boat iioating in the canal b.

c c' are posts or other supports, each of which carries uponits face toward the canal a bracket d and another bracket e below, as shown in Fig. l.

f is a cable anchored at both ends and supported by the bracket d on each of the posts, to which bracket it is fixed by a clamp d.

g g are traction-ropes laid parallel side by side and anchored at both ends and supported at each post by the bracket e. Interposed between these traction-ropes and each of the brackets is placed mechanism, which I will now describe, which permits the tractionropes to be lifted off of their support upon the bracket c, but when the traction-ropes rest upon said supports will grip the tractionr'opes and oppose any longitudinal strain upon the traction-ropes tending to pull them through such grip. Thereby the longitudinal strain applied to the traction-ropes at various points along their length is borne by the bracket or brackets adjacent to or near by the point at which such strain occurs.

a' is a tow-line connecting the canal-boat `or vehicle with the carriage.

The same mechanism being applied to each bracket e, a description of one will answer for all. e', bounded on each side by an upward prorlhe bracket e is cast with an opening ved by the bracket e.

jection e2 and e3. On one of these upward projections are mounted the dogs e4 and e5, and on the other is mounted a dog'e?. Each of these dogs is inthe form shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Fig. 4 represents by full and dotted lines the two positions between which the dogs are capable of moving. The tractionropes g g are gripped between the dogs on the projection e3 and the dog on the projection e4 when such traction-ropes are support- The dog e is opposite the space between the dogs e4 and e5, so as to produce a bend in the ropesg g and insure firmness of hold against longitudinal strain,

yas shown in Fig. 3.

The active face of each dog consists of a rope-rest e7, an upward extension therefrom es, and an outwardly-flaring extension therefrom e9. Therefore when the dogs are combined theyv present 'an opening for the traction-rope, consisting of a rest on each dog at the bottom, an upwardly extending slot widening on both sides at the top, as shown in end' View at Fig. 4. The plan View of this slot is shown in' Fig. 3, where the edges of the dogs e4 and e5 are beveled off at @15 and 616, and the` face of the dog e is curved forward at @17, so that the combined opposed faces of the dogs correspond with the bend of theropes. (Shown in Fig. 3.) The projections of the dogs c4, e5, and e underneath the ropes are shown, respectively, in dotted lines in Fig. 3 at 618,' 619, and @20. The spring elo is interposed between the bottoms of the dogs and the bracket e, so as to urge the dogs up- Fig. 4, act as toggles to compel the dogs on opposite sides of the ropes to approach each other in moving downward, but permit them to recede from each other in moving upward, as indicated by the dotted lines. Consequently when the dogs are relieved from the weight of the traction-ropes g g they will be forced upward and outward by the spring elo into the position shown in dotted lines; but when the Weight of the traction-ropes g -g' IOO rests upon the dogs they will be forced downward and toward each other in antagonism ro-the spring elo into the position shown in full lines in Fig. 4, so as to powerfully grip the traction-ropes.

I will now proceed to describe the main carriagevi, which is shown in Fig. l as having lifted the traction-ropes off of their support on the bracket e.

k 7c' are two wheels running on the cable f and carrying the carriage. These wheels are journaled at opposite ends of their axles in the carriage-frame, which extends in two loops Z lZ above the wheels, and thence downward on one side of the same into the arms Z2 Z3. The loopsZ Z are joined together at the axles of thewheels by the longitudinal framepieces Z4 Z5.V f

lm is a separate frame consist-ing of the following parts:

fm. is a bridge-piece bridging the wheel 10, and a longitudinal frame member m2 connects the extremities of the bridge-piece and is provided with slots m3 'm4 at its extremities. Depending from the bridge-piece m is ahanger m5, and depending from the member m2 is a hanger m6, at the bottom of which is a longitudinal frame member mi, provided at its -extremities with the slots m8 and mi.

n, fn', n2, and 'n3 are bolts passing through the slots already referred to in the frame fm and connecting the same with the frame members Z2 and Z3, so that the frame m is held against said frame members .Z2 and Z3 and guided -vertically thereon by the slotted connections.

92,4 is a shaft journaled in the frame members m5 and mi. Upon the end of the shaft n4 is journaled a swinging motor-frame o, consisting of a vertical part o 'and a platform part 02.

p is a shaft journaled in the frame members m' and m2, upon which are xed the gearwheel p and the presser-wheel q.

2 and Q93 are gear-wheels fixed upon the shaft n4,p2 meshing into the gear-wheel p and p2 meshing into a gear-wheel p4, fixed on a motor-shaft p5. The motor-shaft p5 is journaled in the frame member o and the uprights ciandoL on the platform 02. I have represented at p6 the armature of an electric motor iixed to the shaft p5; butl do not wish to limit myself to an electric motor.

r and 'r' are wheels similar in construction to each other, which are journaled upon the studs r2 and r3, xed to the frame members Z2 and Z2, respectively.

Z5 and ZG are flanges on the frame members Z2 ,and Z3, that assist the bolts in guiding the presser-frame.

vAll the parts of the carriage 'L' are so dis'- posed as to bring the center of gravityin a vertical plane passing through .the cable f and so that the traction-ropes g and g will be held by the wheels q, r, and r' vertically above the rest for the same on the bracket e.

The traction-ropes g and g/ are wire ropes, and the strands of one rope are twisted i11- versely to the strands of the other, as shown in Fig. 3. The wheel q is constructed with an imprint on its periphery of the upper surface of the ropes g g', with which it comes in contact. Each of the wheels r and r is constructed with an imprint on its periphery of the lower surface of the ropes g and g', with which they come in contact. On each wheel the imprint for the surface of the rope g is separated from the imprint for the surface of the rope g by a flange q', and on each wheel both ropes are held between the two end flanges q2 and q2, as shown in Fig. l. The wheels fr and r' are separated, as shown in Fig. 2, and the wheel q bears upon the ropes g g above the space between the wheels r and r', so as to produce a depression in the ropes g and g. between the wheels r and r' and insure a proper hold upon such ropes.

From the above description it will be seen that the means for causing tractional friction between the car or carriage t' and the traction-ropes g g is dependent on the weight of the apparatus, because the tractional 'friction is caused by the downward pressure of the presser-wheel qupon the traction-ropes g g',

resting'on wheels r r', and this downwardpressure is produced'by the weight of all the parts of the apparatus carried by the sliding frame m, which preferably includes the gears p 192103, the frame 0, and the motor carried thereby, which weight is enabled to act through the presser-wheel q by the slotted connection between the reciprocating or presserframe m and the main or truck frame members Z2 Z3.

The apparatus operates as follows: When` the car or carriage t' is in the position shown in Fig.5,between the supports d, the tractionropes g g will at each supportrest upon and be clamped by the dogs on that support, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Thus the support, for the time being in advance of the car, will sustain,partially or wholly, the traction strain of such car upon the ropes g g. In Figs. 3 and 4 the ropes g and g are shown between the dogs as vertically, one above the other, whereas their normal position when not engaged by the dogs is side by side. This change from the side-by-side position to the Vertical position they will assume naturally as they fall into the slotted opening between the dogs and as thev dogs close upon them. When, the car or carriagei is passing any one of the supports, as shown in Fig. l, the traction-ropes g and g will be lifted off of the' dogs on that support by the wheels r and r to a sufcient height to permit the wheels r and fr' to pass above the dogs, as shown in Fig. l. Thus when the car is not passing a sup- IOO IIO

port the support will hold the traction-ropes l 601,353 l i s tion-clutch between the car and the tractionropes will be maintained by the weight of the apparatus,acting throu gh the presser-wheel q.

I have shown the wheel q as driven and the wheels r r' as not driven, and this arrangement possesses advantages by reason of facilitating the transmission of power from the motor on the platform to the driven wheel; but the reverse might be the case-that is to say, the wheels r r might be driven and the Wheel q not driven, or all three wheels might be driven.

The frame may be conveniently considered as composed of three partsthe truck-frame,

carrying the bearings -for the wheels 7c and k', the presser-frame m, carrying the presserwheel q, and the motor-frame 0, carrying the motor; but I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the means by which these frames are connected, or in all 4cases to the distinct existence of all of them.

I have shown a cable as employed as atrack for the support of the car, not only at the points of passing the posts cl, but also between the posts, so that the traction-ropes are not called upon to support the car; but I do not wish to limit myself to this construction. The track performing the supporting function of the cable might be employed only at the posts, the car being supported by the traction-ropes between the posts and the support of the car being transferred from the traction-rope to the track at the posts, so as to lift the traction-rope out of its bearing on the bracket e, as already described. vIn this case suitable mechanism will be interposed between the truck-frame and the presserframe to maintain the grip of the wheels on the traction-cables when the traction-cables are supporting the carriage between the posts.

I claim-- l. In a conveying-apparatus car, in combination, a truck-frame, apresser-frame, means of connection between said frames permitting of vertical movement of the presser-frame, traction-rope-clutching members mounted respectively on said truck-frame and said presser-frame and a motorsupported by said presser-frame; whereby the weight of the ap` paratus is utilized to clutch the traction-rope',

\ substantially as described.

2. In a conveying-apparatus car, in combination, a truck-frame, a presser-frame, two

traction ropeclutching members mounted respectively on said truck frame and said presser fra1ne, a motor supported by said presser frame and connecting mechanism also supported by said presser-frame whereby the clutching member supported upon said presser-frame is driven from said motor, substantially as described.

3. Ina conveying-apparatus car, in combination, a truck-frame, a presser-frame, means of connection admitting of vertical movement between the two, traction -rope clutching members mounted respectively on said truckframe and said presser-frame and a motorframe pendent from said presser-frame, vsubstantially as described.

l 4. In a conveying apparatusin combination with a car, a motor carried by said car, a member mounted upon said car adapted to travel upon a supporting-cable, a clutch in .addition to said parts mounted upon said car.

and adapted to clutch atraction-rope, and means whereby the pressure by said clutch against said traction-rope is produced by the weight of the apparatus, substantially as described.

5. In a conveying apparatus, in combination, a car, a motor carried by said car, a member mounted upon said car adapted to travel upon a supporting-cable, a wheel mounted upon said car and revolved by said motor, a member acting in opposition to said wheel to clutch a traction-rope, and means whereby the pressure of said clutch is'produced by the weight of the apparatus, sub-v IOO 7. In a conveying apparatus, in combinat1ona car, a motor carried by said car, a,A

clutch, means mounted upon said car adapted for causing tractional friction between the car and a traction-rope, a stationary support containing two surfaces adapted "for clutching the traction-rope; one of said surfaces being mounted upon a dog, and a toggle-link where by said dog is forced toward said other surface, substantially as described.

IIO

8. I n a conveying apparatus, in combination, a car, a motor carried by said car, a

member mounted upon said car adapted to travel upon a supporting-cable', a wheel having upon its periphery the` imprint of the strands of two inversely twisted tractionropes, a member adapted to clutch a tractionrope against said wheel, means whereby said wheel is operatively connected with said motor and means adapted to producethe clutching pressure,'substantially as described.

p 9. In a conveying apparatus, in combination with a car, a traction-wheel mounted upon said carand having uponits periphery an imprint of the contact-surface of two par- 4alleltraction-ropes and a member also mounted upon the car whereby said traction-ropes are held against said wheel, substantially as described.

10. In a conveying apparatus, in combination with a car, a traction -wheel mounted upon said car and having upon its periphery IZO an imprint of the contact-surface of two in Y 4 versely-twisted traction-ropes and a member also mounted upon the car whereby said traction-ropes are held against said wheel, substantially as described.

11. In a conveying apparatus, in combination, a carriage, a supporting-cable, two parallel traction-ropes and a support for said traction-ropes and a grip whereby both of said traction-ropes are held together,substantially as described.

12. In a conveying apparatus, in combination, a traction-rope, a support for said traction-rope, dogs mounted on said support on opposite sides of the traction-rope anda toggle-lever by which one of said dogs is forced toward another, substantially as described.

13. In a conveying apparatus, a truck containing a wheel adapted to travel upon a supporting-cable, a frame supported by said truck, a motor mounted upon said frame, a traction-wheel also mounted upon said frame and operatively connected with said motor, a member mounted upon said truck opposite to said traction-wheel; the connection between said frame and said truck permitting of movement between said traction-wheel and said opposed member, substantially as described. l

14. In a conveying apparatus, in combination, a car, means mounted upon said car adapted to produce tractional friction with two traction-ropes, separate means mounted upon said car adapted to travel upon a supporting cable or trackway, a fixed support separate from the carriage adapted to grip two traction-ropes and a support for a cable or trackway in such position that the cable or trackway will be held so as to support the carriage in passing said traction-rope support, substantially as described. V

15. In a conveying apparatus, in combination, a car, atraction-wheel mounted upon y said carfhaving upon its periphery the imprint of the strands of inversely-twisted ropes, a motor mounted upon said car whereby said wheel is driven and a presser acting in opposition to said wheel and a separate member mounted upon said carriage adapted to travel upon a supporting-cable, substantially as described.

16. Ina conveying apparatus, in combination, a car, a traction-wheel mounted upon said car having upon its periphery the imprints of the strands of inverselytwisted ropes, a motor mounted upon said car whereby said wheel is driven, a pressure-wheel acting in opposition to said traction-wheel and having upon its periphery the imprint of the strands of inversely-twisted traction-ropes, substantially as described.

17. In a conveying apparatus, in combination, a carriage truck frame, a carriage presser-frame, two wheels mounted upon one of said frames at a distance apart and adapted to engage a rope on one side, a wheel mounted upon the other of said frames and adapted to engage a rope on the opposite side between the two wheels first named and means for driving one of said wheels whereby the weight of the apparatus causes abend in the rope between said two wheels first mentioned, substan tially as described. f

1S. In a conveying apparatus, in combination, a carriage, a traction-rope, a support for said traction-rope, the dogs e4, 65,66 provided with projections @18, @19 and e2@ extending underneath the rope; the bearing-surface of said dogs above said projections being crooked, substantially as described.

'19. In combination, a supporte provided with the projections c2 and e3, the dogs, the toggle-links interposed between said dogs and said projections and the spring ew, substantially as described.

20. In a conveying-apparatus car, in combination, a truck-frame, a presser-frame, the shafts p and n4 supported by said presserframe, a gear-wheel p and a traction-rope-engaging wheel carried by said shaft p', gearwheels p2 and p3 carried by-said shaft n4, a motor frame pendent from said presserframe, a motor mounted upon the same and means of power transmission between said motor and said gear p3, substantially as described.

21. In a con veying-apparatus car, in combination, a truck-frame containing a downward extension on one side of the trackway, a presser-frame, means whereby said presserframe is secured to said downward extension and guided so as to have a vertical reciprocation thereon, rope-gripping members mounted,l respectively, on said truck-frame and presser-frame, a motor and mechanism connecting said motor with said presser-frame whereby the weight of the motor presses together said gripping members, substantially as described. y

22. In a conveying apparatus, a car, gripping members on said car adapted to hold two traction-ropes side by side with one rope above the other, a xed traction-rope support and mechanism on said support adapted to hold said ropes one above the other, substantially as described.-

Tl-IOS. SPENCER MILLER.

Witnesses:

C. C. IvoRY, WALTER L. PIERCE.

IOO 

